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NEWSWIRE
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EPA invests millions to protect NYC water |
04.29.2008
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NEW YORK--New York City will use a $12-million dollar federal grant to develop a contamination warning system to protect its water supply.
The pilot project, called the Water Security Initiative, is expected to be applicable for the drinking water utilities across the nation.
The system includes online water quality monitoring, public health surveillance, sampling and analysis, enhanced security monitoring and consumer complaint surveillance.
"The challenge of protecting our nation's drinking water systems is not just an EPA challenge, a state challenge or a New York City challenge ... it's everyone's challenge," said EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. "Through technology, innovation and collaboration, we can provide clean, safe water for every American."
The system is designed to be sustainable for long-term operation and to improve water quality management.
"New York's drinking water is the lifeblood of our city and creating new ways to enhance the protection of our water system is important to keeping New Yorkers safe," said NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "After 9/11, our city increased security and police patrols of our water system and enhanced our water quality monitoring system. I'd like to thank EPA Administrator Johnson for selecting New York City for this pilot program which will help us build on the steps we have already taken to ensure our city has a clean, reliable water supply."
The EPA established its water security initiative in response to President Bush's homeland security directive to develop comprehensive surveillance and monitoring systems for water quality that provide early detection and awareness of disease, pest or poisonous agents.
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| SECURITY DIRECTOR NEWS INFO CENTER |
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